Walking Fast - A Significant Influence on Mild to Moderate Depression Symptoms

A study published in 2005 found that easy to walk about 35 minutes per day five times a week or 60 minutes per day three times a week had a significant impact on mild to moderate depression symptoms. Walking fast for only 15 minutes per day five times a week or do stretching exercises three times a week not so much help. (This exercise was calculated lengths for someone who weighs about 150 pounds. If you weigh more, sometimes more exercise, while the opposite is the case, if you weigh less than 150 pounds.)

Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1999, divided 156 men and women with depression in three groups. One group participated in an aerobic exercise program, one of the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft), and third has both. In the 16-week mark, depression had eased in all three groups. Over 60% -70% of people in all three groups could not be more than serious depression. In fact, scores group on two rating scales of depression were essentially the same. This suggests that for those who need or want to avoid, medication, exercise could be an acceptable substitute for antidepressants. Please note that the fastest reaction occurred in the group taking antidepressants, and that it can be difficult to stay motivated to exercise if you depressed.

A follow-up of this study found that the exercise effects lasted longer than those of antidepressants. Researchers examined with 133 of the original patients six months after the first study ended. They found that people exercised regularly after completion of the study, regardless of the treatment they were originally, were less likely to relapse into depression.

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